JoniB22 at 2014-05-12 20:43:05:

Scott, kudos for such a polite response!! I need to channel a bit more of that when I email novice scribes who post "unproduced" scripts on another site looking for feedback -- i.e. often first scripts, and all too often not very good. I try hard to give CONSTRUCTIVE feedback, calling attention to the positive as well as the .. well, the not positive.... But I suck at candy-coating. I believe the quicker we all learn to thicken our skin and learn how to juggle notes and sift through various degrees of criticism, the better off we'll be for a tough marketplace. For the record, I am very good, however, at suggesting GITS as a must-use website for new screenwriters in their self-education! :-) That said, my first reaction to this was: Go write another book. And then another. And then another after that. My second reaction was: So ya think you can write a screenplay, huh? (as if it were an easy undertaking.... sigh.) On equal footing was thinking there is a vast difference in what constitutes a movie vs what makes a good series. If the writer is unclear herself where her own material fits, not only does it sound problematic/worrisome, it also signals an opportunity for some self-education. And reaction three was: "good .. maybe" isn't ever gonna SELL in a room. Lack of enthusiasm or not being wholly committed to a story's potential sends up flares for me, sorry. I don't what it is with folks thinking that a single, first creation is destined for something other/more/greater/farther than the bottom drawer of a file cabinet... Not that it doesn't happen or can't happen, but more than likely, it's improbable. Or dare I say "shouldn't"... Any writing -- novels, plays, screenplays -- takes years of blood/sweat/tears to get "good" at much less really good. It takes years of navigating the horrific waters of self-doubt and procrastination, of mastering time management, of stick-to-it-iveness, not to mention the gnarly emotional roller coasters of "this is great!" followed very soon after by "this sucks rotten eggs". Years. And oodles and oodles and oodles of pages. Granted, I have no clue how many drafts and revisions and chucked, red-lined pages went into the creation of her final 124k words book. No clue. She could well have done fits and starts on seven other books, for all I know, may well have "found her voice"... but I'll admit to having my doubts. Seeing some of the "first scripts" that hit some sites for feedback, I cringe. And part of me gets mad, to be quite honest. If this is the stuff that floods the Hollywood market, no wonder reps cringe when approached by new-to-them writers! I'd cringe too. I'm not a big fan of self-publishing but I understand the allure. I wonder, though, if thrusting something out there that's not ready is that great of an idea.... I love people who desire to write, who truly want to write and especially those who actually WRITE. So write on, Elizabeth! Keep pounding out pages, keep reading tons of stuff in your chosen genre, keep searching for and chipping away at creating YOUR writer's voice. If and when you write a stellar, knock their socks off, can't put it down, the market can't say no novel, then may the publishing world open the door when you knock! If/when you want to consider screenwriting, be ready for some MAJOR SHIFTS in how you approach the page and your stories. It simply is not the same as with fiction writing and will require a dedicated, committed pursuit of learning a beloved craft. Good Luck!!!

Scott at 2014-05-12 21:21:21:

JoniB22, thanks for those observations and suggestions. Really strong. Between what I wrote and you contributed, hopefully Elizabeth will find a path. In terms of 'constructive' critiques, I guess there are different ways of being honest. Lord knows, there are plenty of negative voices out there, it's easy for an aspiring writer to find someone who will crap all over their work. There are also a bunch of shysters who will feed the Hope Machine for writers to get their $$, blowing smoke up their arse about their talent. That is being both dishonest and despicable, and if they don't actually address writing issues, the writer will not gain any benefit from the experience other than a false and inflated sense of their 'gift'. I am by nature a pretty positive-minded person. I also only have to look back at my early writing in high school and college, even my early screenplays and realize that at any point in time, had I assessed my own writing in an objective, informed manner, I would have had doubts as to the talent level there. So writers can grow and develop. I've seen it happen with writers with whom I've worked as a teacher, dozens and dozens of times, many of them working in the industry now. And there's this: I was a complete outsider to Hollywood and sold a spec script. I can never get away from that fact. So I come by my fundamental sense of optimism honestly. But I ALWAYS balance out that message with the harsh truth about breaking into the business: It is REALLY hard, incredibly competitive. I kind of went off on a tangent there, but let me say one thing to wrap up: I do tend to take an inspirational tone on the blog because I WANT to inspire writers. Again they can go virtually anywhere and hear VON (Voices Of Negativity). If they can come here and get an honest appraisal of how hard it is to break into the business, some tips and theory grounded in nearly 30 years working in the business, and some inspiration along the way, I see that as a net plus. That said, when I work with writers as a teacher, say at Screenwriting Master Class, I always give an honest, straightforward assessment of their writing. I push them to dig deeper, show them ways to write better, and constantly provide ideas on how to make their stories better, ideas they are free to "use or lose" as I say. So circling back, thanks again for your comments. I love the GITS community because there are smart, informed and committed folks like you around to provide their insight into questions that arise.

elizabethdeath at 2014-05-13 05:17:49:

Thank you both so much for the time you devoted to responding to my query. You are helpful beyond measure. The answer is clearly a resounding "No!", and that is what I required. I see my efforts towards modesty belied my faith in my book however. In truth , I think it's the best piece of science fiction written in decades, and if ever filmed, it would rival Star Wars at the box office, except that it is strictly for the adult sci-fi buff, as at my mature age, I cannot write for children, despite caring for my own 24-7. Perhaps my 18+ world is something of an escape... When I say adult, I don't just mean sex, although my created species are promiscuous, but the central charecter developes, matures and reflects upon his journey and this is reflected back into his civilisation, which is crumbling around him and which he must save, along with himself... That's the idea anyway...Grown-up literary notions... But it plays in my head like a film, a gory, exciting, sci-fi thriller imbued with colour and dark humour! I would pay to see it...more than once! I have read much, less since kids than I should, but I am selective and I will only read what I absolutely enjoy. If I stop enjoying a book , even one chapter from the end, I stop reading . So many published books disappoint that I sought nothing more than to write the perfect story, even if I am the only one who thinks so... I used to write poetry although I started to write many books, and years ago even completed a few short screenplays which were horrendous. My mum died last year and a short time later my voice finally broke free and I started writing and didn't stop for five months. Ever since I've been editing, re-editing and drawing pictures of my created world, in between bothering agents and filing rejections. I will write again but all I want to write is the sequel to my first book, to find out where my charecters take me next! I 'll self publish number one first though, hopefully before the school summer holidays/vacation commences as I won't have a second to spare when my children are home. Who knows eh? I have one fan, my son who cannot wait until he's old enough to be permitted to read my book, although when he does he probably won't be able to look me in the eye for ten years or so, oh and some of my lady friends who are sci-fi readers adore the central charecter which fills me with joy, although I don't think my husband likes him at all...I think he's uncomfortable with some of the homo-erotic elements but you can't please everyone, as I am sure you are all aware. Now I've rambled for far too long... Now you know why it's 124k words. Thank you thank you and thank you again. If a script is ever required, maybe I can come back here for advice on who to choose to help? Very kindest regards , Elizabeth Antoinette